Radiance Blu-ray Film Review

Planet of the Vampires (1965) • Limited Edition Blu-ray [Radiance] — pioneering sci-fi with Pop Art design but a poor script

After landing on a mysterious planet, a team of astronauts begin to turn on each other, swayed by the uncertain influence of the planet and its strange inhabitants.

Whether one loves or laughs at Mario Bava’s Planet of the Vampires / Terrore nello spazio depends on expectations. Either way, it would take a conscious effort to dislike this pioneering fusion of science fiction and horror. It’s well worth the time of anyone with a serious interest in the history of genre cinema and is compulsory viewing for all Bava fans. I can tick those boxes, yet I’m glad to have waited for this lovingly restored director’s cut from Radiance, scanned at 4K from the original 35mm Eastmancolor negatives. The restoration process was overseen by Mario’s son, Lamberto Bava, who was also the film’s assistant director, so we can be sure this is the most authentic version possible. The visually arresting colour…